Of Mice and Men EssayIn the novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck loneliness is a theme that plays out the entire novel affecting almost every character. Nearly all of the characters display a "handicap" some that aren't as obvious as others. Whether because of a physical or mental handicap, age, class, race, or gender, almost everyone finds themselves outside the structures of social power, and each suffers greatly as a result.Lennie's handicap is quite obvious, Lennie is mentally challenged and doesn't understand things even though he tries so hard. Take for example his puppy he doesn't understand his own strength so he accidentally kills the dog. "You ain't so little as mice. I didn't bounce you hard.", he talks to the puppy questioning it on why it died. He is worried George will be mad, Lennie lives to make George happy. Lennie knows that he is different from everyone he works with and this sets him ap ...view middle of the document...
His race causes his loneliness.Candy, an ageing handyman is missing one hand and is getting older so he is worried about his future on the farm. On the farm it seems there is no protection for the old and weak. This is shown when Carlson shoots Candy's old dog because it was old and blind. Curly is the bosses son and he wears high heeled boots to distinguish himself from the workers. "Curley's like a lot of little guys. He hates big guys. He's alla time picking scraps with big guys. Kind of like he's mad at 'em because he ain't a big guy." Curly seems to be insecure about himself and he is always so jealous of everyone and treats his wife like a possetion. He makes himself lonely.For some of the characters the dream of "the farm" serves as an antidote to their loneliness. George has always promised Lennie "the farm", a paradise for them where Lennie can raise rabbits and be happy and where they can live for themselves. George has begun to have hope in his tale because of Lennie's faith in that there dreams will come true. "You seen what they done to my dog tonight? They says he wasn't no good to himself nor nobody else. When they can me here I wisht somebody'd shoot me. But they won't do nothing like that. I won't have no place to go, an' I can't get no more jobs," Candy's only hope is the farm it makes him happy to think that he will have someplace to go and agrees to put in his life savings for the farm. Even though Crooks is normally pessimistic and says "Just like heaven. Ever'body wants a little piece of lan'. I read plenty of books out here. Nobody never gets to heaven, and nobody gets no land, " the idea of "the farm" makes him happy. Crooks wants in on the farm also. Their idea of paradise serves as a cure for their loneliness.Throughout the novel loneliness plays as one of the main themes. Most of the characters experience some kind of loneliness due to their different problems. Very few characters are exempt from the loneliness most feel. Whether the issue is race or age all the characters feel the same pain and suffering. All of this is shown throughout the novel.
